Is overweight not a common problem on the first build?
uhhhhh, why yes, more common than previously supposed!
Boeing Talks Of 7E7 Benefits, Admits Weight Issues
Aviation Daily07/23/2004
In admitting that the Boeing 7E7 is currently slightly heavier than planned, program chief Mike Bair couldn't help but take a lighthearted jab at rival Airbus and weight problems that it may be encountering with the A380.
While he did not specify by how much the current weight exceeds targets, Bair pointed out, "We're where we have been typically on past programs," and said he was confident weight could be reduced to meet targets in the development process. "I have a lot of sympathy for our friends in Toulouse," he added, hinting at Airbus's problems to fight the Airbus A380s overweight issues. "It can run away from you very quickly. Big airplanes are really hard. We've been there."
Bair also stressed that interest in the 7E7 was "astounding" and that the bulk of the interest was in the 7E7-8 version. He disclosed, however, that a big part of the All Nippon Airways orders was for the 7E7-3. While he saw a broad customer base internationally, interest is "light in the U.S.," and executives are now "scratching their heads" over securing delivery positions for U.S. carriers. The stretched 7E7-9 is "penciled in" for initial deliveries in 2009. -JF